North Queensland Cowboys claim dramatic NRL Grand Final win
Sunday 4 October 2015 17:11, UK
Johnathan Thurston's 83rd-minute drop goal gave the North Queensland Cowboys a dramatic 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League Grand Final.
Three minutes earlier, player-of-the-year Thurston's attempt from the sideline to convert Kyle Feldt's try in the final minute of normal time bounced back off the right upright, leaving the game locked at 16-16 and forcing golden-point extra-time for the first time in an Australian title decider.
Brisbane's Ben Hunt then dropped Feldt's kick-off to start the first period of extra-time, putting the Cowboys on the front foot.
The Broncos defended admirably, frustrating two attempts by North Queensland to set up a drop goal attempt before Thurston found space and drove the ball between the posts for the winning score.
The victory gave the Townsville-based Cowboys their first premiership title in only their second Grand Final after 21 years in the NRL.
The match, played in front of 82,758 fans, was the first final in NRL history between two teams from Queensland state.
Brisbane made an emphatic start, rushing to an 8-0 lead after seven minutes with a penalty from Corey Parker and a try to Corey Oates, who dashed almost 80 metres after being given space by Anthony Milford and Jack Reed.
North Queensland showed the resilience they have displayed all season when they replied with a try from Justin O'Neill, then another by James Tamou to lead 12-8 after 24 minutes.
But Reed's try in the 34th minute, after a lost ball by Thurston, sent Brisbane into half-time with a two-point lead.
Jordan Kahu kicked a penalty in the second minute of the second half to make it 16-12 and it stayed that way until the 80th minute when North Queensland created a last-gasp try for Feldt in the right-hand corner after he was played in by Michael Morgan's superb run and pass.
Thurston missed his conversion from near the touchline, but he was the Cowboys' hero moments later.
"I'm speechless," he said. "I can't believe it. I love these boys, they've worked so hard. I see them every day and I know they've sacrificed so much. I love the club and, wow, I can't believe it."
Brisbane veteran Sam Thaiday said: "One minute was all it took to lose the grand final. We were one minute away from winning it but we just couldn't seal the deal."
